#20 Mad Dog: Outstanding performance by Ken Curtis.  He finds himself in a jam when he's bitten by the "mad" dog, and when he finds out he's NOT going to die of rabies, he's in another jam because he has an appointment for a gunfight in the street with the Watson brothers.  Well written, comedic throughout, but not overdone.

#19 Whelan's Men: We certainly see Kitty's acting chops in this one.  In the poker game, she's the best man at the table.  She plays it very cool and reserved, but make no mistake, there are high stakes in this game.  Kitty pulls it all off with flying colors.

#18 The Way It Is: Another feather in the cap of Miss Kitty, and also Claude Aiken in this one.  Just when we think Kitty may have met the man of her dreams, he goes all haywire on us!  By the end of the episode, he has totally lost control over himself and is threatening to kill Kitty.  Thankfully, Matt is there to throw an interception in this one.

#17 Rope Fever: Yes, the acting is good in this one, but mostly I just love the storyline.  Festus is in the wrong place at the wrong time; then you've got this old sheriff who won't do his job and send the telegram to Matt so he can verify what Festus is telling him.  Why, Festus is nearly hung by the time Matt arrives.

#16 Miss Kitty: In this one, Miss Kitty is keeping a secret AND wearing long pants both in the same episode!  I imagine that when it first aired, everyone thought this boy was Miss Kitty's son for at least part of the episode--until she out and out denies it.  Another good storyline which showcases Kitty's strengths (driving the wagon team by herself on the prairie, and facing Tucker Ferrin alone.)  You go, girl!

#15 The Good People: Another very good storyline, and the actors in the beginning where they're chasing the cattle rustlers is top notch.  The actors are riding full throttle and shooting rifles with both hands...how they stay on the horses, I don't know.  (I sure wish I could do that though!)  Then the part where Silas Chute comes along and sees the dead man hanging, cuts him down, and shoots him so he can collect a bounty....are there no limits to what people will do?  Great storytelling.

#14 The Wreckers: This is the one where Kitty, Matt, and a prisoner are in a stagecoach crash, and Kitty switches identities between Matt and the prisoner before the bandits get to them.  It was kinda fun to see Matt playing the part of an outlaw for a little bit.  Kitty played an exhausted, emotionally drained part in this.

#13 Coventry:  This is one of the "good will prevail over evil" episodes.  What I like about it is when the character who cheated all the people out of their land is shunned, no one will speak or look at him.  Sort of a Twilight Zone episode.

#12 The Gallows: They say this one is the people's choice for best episode.  Yes, it's a good one, I just believe there are others that are better.  Great job by Jeremy Slate playing this man who has a good heart and has helped Matt, but is sentenced to hang.  Matt even turns him loose and he comes back.

#11 Seven Hours to Dawn: This is the one where everyone except Doc and Festus believes Matt has been shot to death.

#10 Mannon: Steve Forrest plays a great part here.  He has us believing he is so tough there is nothing he can't get by with.  When the townspeople give him an envelope full of money to leave town, and he puts it in his hat and goes right about his business, it's priceless.  Why, he even has the nerve to beat up on Kitty!

#9 A Hat: Chill Wills and Gene Evans are dynamite!  The scene where Gene Evans character is shot and Kitty is looking after him and he thinks Kitty is his squaw wife, Amy, he does a beautiful job with that.  

#8 With a Smile: Great acting by R.G. Armstrong and James Best.  And the plotline couldn't be better.  Whoever thought up the idea of letting the hanged man fall through the trap door and something being there to land on is a genius.  

#7 Charlie Noon: James Best again in this one.  We watch his metamorphosis from a man calling the Woman a 'stinkin' squaw' to one who is willing to give up his life for others, including Woman.   

#6 Long, Long Trail: What chemistry Matt has with Sarah Drew!  That is evident from the beginning.  It is a pleasure to watch the two of them and the way this relationship is blooming.

#5 Gold Mine: Hats off to John Anderson and his portrayal of Pa Gibbijohn.  Another episode like Mad Dog that is comedic, but not overdone.  Matt sure was peeved that letter never came through from Thad!

#4 Island in the Desert I & Island in the Desert II: Strother Martin is a genius in this.  He starts out being a rescuer and provider for Festus, then turns into a taskmaster prodding Festus with the water bottles.  He definitely has some mental health issues from being alone for so long.

#3 Chesterland: Dennis Weaver at his best in this one.  He really knocks himself out to try to make a home for Daisy, but she doesn't want to live in a dugout.  And just when we really get to liking her, she takes the money and splits.  Another busted up romance for Chester.

#2 Thirty a Month and Found: I just can't say enough about this one.  The cinematography in this episode is spectacular.  It plays like a movie.  Gene Evans is awesome again in this and the story is superb.  Very well done, folks.

#1 Now I know some of you are holding out for Matt's Love Story to be here, or the Jailer, but I just can't do either!  Matt's kiss was not nearly enough to boost it into my top 20.  It is a very overrated kiss.  And Bette Davis is one of my absolute favorites, but I can't boost her up either, the acting job was just not that spectacular.  My number 1 pick is Wishbone: This episode explores the very complicated relationship between Doc and Festus.  It's clear Festus would have given his life to save Doc, yet just hours later when they're back in Dodge, Doc is picking on Festus mercilessly, even calling him a "jackass."  Matt also has a storyline in this that crosses paths with Festus and it all comes together in the end.  Kudos, Gunsmoke for such an outstanding episode.